Abstract
The WHO has issued recommendations for use of the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine and yearly influenza in children considered to be at high risk for both infections.
A survey of General Paediatricians and nurses in Jordan was undertaken in the winter of 2010, to assess their familiarity with the recommendations on pneumoccocal and influenza immunisation of high-risk children.
Method: Self-administered Questionnaires were sent to Paediatricians and nurses in 5 Community Child Health Centres (CCHC) and 10 District General hospitals (DGH).
Results: A total of 131 questionnaires (80% of total) were returned from doctors (60%) and nurses (40%). One third of the respondents worked in DGH and the remaining in tertiary centres. 81% of the respondents were aware of the indications for the vaccines.
The most correctly identified high-risk children for both vaccines were cystic fibrosis (74%), chronic lung disease (71%) and HIV/AIDS (66%) (Table 1). The least correctly identified conditions were Diabetes mellitus (34%), Biliary atresia or chronic hepatitis (37%) and chronic heart failure (48%).
The preferred methods of advising patients included verbal information (53.4%), the GP (44.2%), and letters (20.5%). 71.7% of respondents wanted the vaccines given in primary care, others preferred the tertiary centre (31.3%) or the DGH (22.9%). Monitoring adherence to vaccination was recommended by 84% through GP letters (41.2%) or verbal information from carers (54.2%).
Conclusion: The low rate of correct identification of patients requiring pneumococcal and influenza vaccines among healthcare professionals in Jordan suggests a nation-wide programme of educational and increased awareness is urgently needed.
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Ogundele, M., Ayyash, H., Ayyash, F. et al. Knowledge and Practise of Doctors and Nurses about Childhood Pneumoccocal and Influenza Vaccines in Jordan. Pediatr Res 70 (Suppl 5), 474 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.699
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.699